9. They Called Him Laughter

Genesis 21:1-7

Key verse: Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised.   Genesis 21:1

The Lord was gracious.  Yes, the Lord is gracious.  He was gracious to Sarah.  He had removed the stigma of barrenness from her reputation.  The Lord is gracious in everything He does.  He remembered a barren old woman and He gave her life.  He remembers us and is gracious in His blessings toward us. We also were as good as dead in our sins, and God gave us new life in Christ! It's a miracle!

Yesterday, we talked about how God took the time to purify Abraham so that he could become the Patriarch of God's chosen people.  As we study the story of Abraham and Sarah in their travels, we learn that God also needed to refine Abraham and Sarah as a couple.  At least two times in Genesis chapters 12 and 20, we learn of Abraham's concern for his own life and safety by lying about his relationship to Sarah and in so doing, causing God to curse the households of Pharaoh and Abimelech. 

However, in Abraham's explanation to Abimelech for his deceit he explains:  "When God had me wander from my Father's household, I said to her, "This is how you can show your love to me, everywhere we go, say of me, "He is my brother." (Genesis 20:13)  This implies that it may have happened more than the two times God saw fit to mention in scripture.  God had much work to do to rid this couple of their ungodly behavior before they were fit for their true calling. 

Now Isaac, the son, brought laughter to an old couple who had been redeemed and transformed, yet also a bit set in their ways, as old age will do.  Once again, God called Abraham and Sarah out of their comfort zone and called them into another new life of baby care and sleepless nights and a joy that they had never known before.  When God’s gracious blessing comes to you it will also be the beginning of new challenges, not a life of ease.  You will also be forced out of your comfort zone to do and to endure things you never foresaw. 

Why did he wait until they were so old?  Was he waiting until they had matured to be the perfect parents?  No, they were still not perfect, nor would they prove to be perfect parents.  But they were old!  This birth was a miracle and its miraculous nature is a proof of God’s existence and a proof of his gracious character. "And she added, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children?  Yet I have born him a son in his old age."  (Gen. 21:7)  Nothing is impossible with God.

He remembers us and is gracious in His blessings toward us.  Is He keeping you waiting?  Is He waiting for you to become the perfect Christian?  No!  You will never be perfect in this life.  But one day the time will be right for you to receive the gracious blessing he has in store for you.  All you can do is believe the promise and look forward to it.  Rejoice in the fellowship of God.  Celebrate His love for you and depend upon it.  Never give up faith in him.

Isaac, the son, brought laughter to an old couple who had been set in their ways.  God was fulfilling a promise.  If you look hard, you can see another sign on the horizon.  Yes, we are on the right path.  This miraculous birth of Isaac to Sarah foreshadows another miraculous birth, even more impossible, behold the virgin shall be with child!  Messiah is one step closer to here.  Can you believe it?  How much longer before He arrives?  

"They Called Him 'Laughter'" by Michael Card 

Also beautiful for this section: I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry